Seven films from 12 countries — none of them with Latin American production or co-production — will compete in the official selection of the 40th edition of Venice Critics’ Week, the parallel and independent section of the Venice Film Festival, which will take place from August 27 to September 6.

The United Kingdom will have a strong presence this year with two selected titles: the absurdist comedy Straight Circle, by London-born Oscar Hudson, which follows two enemy soldiers stuck on a remote border who forget which side they are on; and Ish, directed by fellow Londoner Imran Perretta.

This year’s lineup is dedicated exclusively to debut features. In addition, the out-of-competition closing film will be 100 Nights of Hero, a feminist fairytale directed by British filmmaker Julia Jackman and starring Emma Corrin, Nicholas Galitzine, Maika Monroe, Amir El-Masry, Charli XCX, Richard E. Grant and Felicity Jones. Jackman first gained recognition with her short Emma, Change the Locks (2017) and made her feature debut with Bonus Track, which was part of the Great8 showcase in Cannes and premiered at the London Film Festival and Tallinn in 2023.

The rest of the selection includes two Italian entries: Agon, an allegorical sports drama directed by Giulio Bertelli — son of designer Miuccia Prada — and starring Olympic judo champion Alice Bellandi; and Waking Hours, a documentary focused on a clan of Afghan smugglers wandering the border “in the labyrinth of an eternal and sleepless night,” according to its synopsis.

Venice Critics’ Week received nearly 700 feature film submissions from around the world for this edition. “The selected films cross borders of identity, geography and existence; spaces where the image becomes an instrument for analysis and interpretation,” said Beatrice Fiorentino, the section’s general delegate. “Today’s cinema shouts out loud, unsettles, and reclaims spaces for empowerment and rebirth.”

All Critics’ Week films will compete alongside the official selection for the festival’s Lion of the Future award, which recognizes the best debut feature and carries a cash prize of $100,000.

Competition:

“Agon,” Giulio Bertelli (Italy, U.S., France)

“Cotton Queen,” Suzannah Mirghani (Germany, France, Palestine, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia)

“Gorgonà,” Evi Kalogiropolou (Greece, France)

“Ish,” Imran Perretta (U.K.)

“Roqia,” Yanis Koussim (Algeria, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia)

“Straight Circle,” Oscar Hudson (U.K.)

“Waking Hours,” Federico Cammarata, Filippo Foscarini (Italy)

Out Of Competition. 

Opening Film: “Stereo Girls,” Caroline Deruas Peano (France, Canada)

Closing Film: “100 Nights of Hero,” Julia Jackman (U.K.)